On the elimination of phenolsulphonephthalein in acute mercuric chloride intoxication

In two recent publications 1 , 2 on the toxic effect of mercuric chloride in normal and in naturally nephropathic animals, observations have been made concerning the relationship between the development of an acid intoxication and the acute kidney injury. In these animals the poison was given in large doses, 15 mgs. per kilogram, which eliminated the study of the development of the intoxication in the early stages.

The following preliminary note has as its object a study of the early stages of the development of an acid intoxication from mercuric chloride and the relationship of such a disturbance to renal function as is shown by the elimination of phenolsulphonephthalein.

Fourteen normal dogs have been used in the study. The animals were kept in metabolism cages, fed on bread with a small amount of cooked meat and given 500 C.C. of water by stomach tube daily. The animals were catheterized once a day and the urine examined for albumin and glucose. Cen trifugalized samples were examined for casts. The phenolsulphonephthalein test was conducted according to the technique of Rowntree and Geraghty. Blood urea determinations were made by the method of Marshall as modified by Van Slyke and Cullen. The reserve alkali of the blood (R.p.H.) was determined by the method of Marriott. After the commencement of the intoxication the urine was examined for the presence of mercury by the method of Elliott. Following two days of normal observations, the animals were given 4 mgs. per kilogram of mercuric chloride by stomach tube. Prior to administering the mercury the dogs were partially narcotized by a subcutaneous injection of 0.25 C.C. of a 4 per cent. solution of morphine sulphate per kilogram. Such a procedure prevents the vomiting of the mercury.